Manu (birds) open their eyes, and sing their wake-up waiata (songs).

Ruru finds a quiet spot to rest after looking after the ngahere overnight – he closes his eyes to the ata (morning). Other birds are now awake, greeting each other for the brand new day.

Creatures below the treetops are up and about too; geckos basking on a rock, bees buzzing, and tuna (eels) emerging from their watery dark holes.

The ngahere (forest) fills with song and the fauna begin their busy days.

A companion book to  Te Ngahere i te Pō (The Forest at Night), this full colour picture book gives the manu and creatures of daylight their time to shine.

The manu are alive in these pages, with frolicking cheeky piwakawaka (fantail), and tui stretched out in song or having their nectar breakfasts.

Te reo is a strong part of the story in both illustration and text, allowing young readers to add more words to their reo. A full glossary is also included in the rear of the book.

Author – Kiri Lightfoot

Illustrator – Pippa Keel Situ

Picture Book

(2026, Allen & Unwin, Bilingual, Māori Language, NZ Bush, Aotearoa NZ, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, NZ Native Birds, Gecko, Eels, Series)

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One Bay it may be, but there are multiple communities living around it.

Seals lay on the sunny rocks on seaweed pillows, and shags are layered up a rock stack.

Terns have a home and a view from a rusty abandoned boat, and mussels and weeds live on a rotting pier.

There are treasures to be found washed up on the edges, but watch out! A storm is coming.

Ned Barraud’s beautiful illustrations and rhyme explore a Bay and all who live around it, even dipping beneath the waves.

Beginning with a calm, flat, morning sea, and building to the approach of an incoming storm, the tension rises as the sky darkens and the inhabitants hunker down.

A gorgeous way to highlight all the activity in a Bay, recognisable in many parts of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Author/ Illustrator  – Ned Barraud

Picture Book

NZ Non-Fiction

If you liked this you might like:

At Home on the Farm

Find more books by Ned Barraud here

Find more NZ Non-Fiction here

(2026, Scholastic NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Non Fiction, Bay, Sealife, Nature, Seals, Birds, Animals, Shags, Terns, Dolphins, Storm, Real Life)

The post Out in the Bay Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

But this seabird is not the only creature on the hunt. With her mate caring for their chick back in the gannet colony, she spies something happening out across the water.

Other sea animals are making the most of clever dolphins who have corralled a school of fish into a ball of swooping, leaping, frantic silver.

Just one. That’s all this bird mum needs to take back to her chick. She spies a fish on the outside of the whirling action below, tucks her wings in tight, and dives…

She hits the water at 100 kms per hour, slicing through the water. But others want her fish. Bigger, faster, greedier creatures. She must try and try again, so she can take something back to her white fluffy feathered chick waiting for her.

Living in Napier, I know and love the beautiful Gannet. Nearby Cape Kidnappers has the world’s largest accessible mainland gannet colony, hosting around 20,000 birds, and busloads of people visit every year to get up close to these birds.

Ned Barraud has brought this experience to life and taken readers so much further with a mother Gannet, away from the colony and across the waves.

The story reveals a mission and how important it is, and the gorgeous illustrations portray the skill of the Gannet and the action and constant danger she is in just trying to find a meal for her chick.

Other sea creatures feature in this full colour picture book, but the Gannet is the star. To learn more about this amazing bird and the others who try to defeat her mission, flick to the back of the book where there are two whole pages of information on them.

(This book is going to be a hit in Napier for the many visitors who have taken the trip to Cape Kidnappers.)

Author / Illustrator – Ned Barraud

Picture Book

(2026, Allen & Unwin, Non-Fiction, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Gannet, Birds, Sea Creatures, Dolphins, Mako Shark, Bryde’s Whale, Fish, Kahawai, Northern Giant Petrel, Common Dolphin, Action, Real Life, Animals)

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Jake Whyte is in Year 10 (NZ), and is keen to put meat on the table at home. He teaches himself hunting techniques, while avoiding a guy at school who taunts him with the nickname Great White Hunter. Without planning it, he is soon on hunts with his nemesis and his family members. Jake also has a crush on his bully’s sister which makes things even more awkward.

But hunting together and finding themselves in danger, helps them to confront their differences.

Plot summary of Jake Whyte Pig Hunter (No Spoilers)

Jake is hungry. Meat is scarce in their home where his mum works three jobs to look after them and pay for Jake’s sister’s care in a school in Dunedin (NZ).

After Jake brings home an injured piglet one day, and it doesn’t make it, he realises he can help his mum put meat on the table. Studying books and Bear Grylls shows, Jake learns how to hunt without a gun. There is a guy in his year 10 class named Bevan, who he knows goes hunting regularly with his dad and guns, but Jake knows his own mother would never allow it.

But after bringing home meat for the table and freezer, Jake’s mum agrees to let him go on a supervised hunt. Sure, Jake finds it a little awkward going with Bevan who has taunted him for years about his name, but Jake doesn’t want to pass on Bevan’s dad’s invite to hunt properly with real pig dogs and guns. It also helps that Bevan’s sister Georgie is along for the hunt, as Jake has a crush on her.

Hunt after hunt, Jake builds his skills, but the tension between he and Bevan builds until it overflows into danger. Alone and with only each other to rely on, they finally face off and sort out some misunderstandings.

All the while, Jake has been hiding the fact that he has a disabled sister. He’s worried what the backlash will be after being taunted by Bevan and his friends for years. When everything is finally out in the open and they are faced with a huge boar they’ve all been hunting for weeks, they must work together to survive.

Review

There are never enough hunting books on the shelves, and Jake Whyte Pig Hunter is a cracker!

With its fast pacing, short, punchy chapters and dialogue full of Kiwi lingo, this novel ticks so many boxes for so many different kinds of readers. It suits reading ages of Year 6 to Year 11, reluctant readers, lovers of action, or adventure and with Kiwi characters they can relate to.

Each chapter begins with a sketch by Cat Chapman, portraying the action or an item important to the chapter. It’s not just about hunting, either. Main character Jake has feelings for his nemesis’ sister, and he’s also hiding a secret, he knows he shouldn’t. These emotional developments are handled deftly and authentically, adding to the narrative.

Anyone who has ever wanted to hunt wild pig in the New Zealand bush can experience what it is truly like in this novel for 11+

Book Style

147 Pages / 40 short chapters / Each new chapter begins with a new illustration

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

11+

Where & When is it set?

Milford in Fiordland / Sth Island, Aotearoa New Zealand

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

First person – direct to the reader / Present Tense

Is there Violence?

Hunting violence

What genre is Jake Whyte Pig Hunter?

High Middle-Grade Action

Themes

Hunting / Action / Family / Relationships

Is it part of a series?

No

See another review here from someone who knows – Sam the Trap Man

Author

J D Crouchley

Illustrator

Cat Chapman

Publisher

Bateman Books

(2026, Bateman Books, Aotearoa New Zealand, Intermediate (NZ), NZ Authors, NZ Illustrator, Hunting, Fiordland, Milford, Tramping, Pigs, Deer, Fishing, Trout, Courage, Solo parent family, Disabled family member, Crush, Relationships, Action, Adventure, Family, Bully, Rivalry)

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Beginning with an introduction from the author who is disabled herself, she shares what meeting other disabled teens was like when she was younger, and how inspirational her research was for this book.

Out of the Box shares the stories of 25 Kiwis. They are Activists who have stood up for disabled people’s rights, Adventurers who have achieved sporting excellence, or set challenges thought near impossible, and Artists who have shared their souls in dance, writing, illustration and the stage.

These three categories are mixed throughout this hardback book of nearly 160 pages, with a coloured illustration of each Kiwi beginning their story. The stories are succinctly written with about 3 pages + illustration for each, allowing readers to open the book anywhere to read a disabled Kiwi’s story.

There is a clear Contents page in the beginning of the book to aid readers in finding a particular person.

Some of these amazing New Zealanders are:

Don McKenzie who had to prove to a bus company that his guide dog knew how to behave on a bus. Before this, no dogs were allowed on buses which restricted disabled people’s transport options. He went on to be the first blind person to become president of the Royal NZ Foundation for the blind.

After receiving her grandmother’s advice to… “Just go for it” Libby Hunsdale did just that. She won an international award for acting, modelled, trained as a barista, and became an ambassador for a project to help disabled people into work and advocate for other peoples with Down Syndrome.

Eve Rimmer won 4 medals at the 1968 Paralympic Games. She was the only woman on the New Zealand team and the only medal winner. She was made a paraplegic in a car accident at 15, but after seeing a paraplegic sports event, she knew what she wanted to do. Eve held the record for 36 years, of being Aotearoa New Zealand’s most successful Paralympian.

When an unexploded bomb fell on Paul Curry and broke his back, he didn’t let that stop him having great adventures. He and his mates designed, built and hand pedalled across Cook Strait, Lake Taupo, Lake Wakatipu and other international stretches of water.

Adam Hall has spina bifida, but speeds of 100kms+ per hour is normal when he’s competing in ski slalom events. At 22, he competed in the Winter Paralympic Games in 2010 to win gold. He has inspired other Paralympians and gone on to win more medals.

Chanelle Moriah wasn’t diagnosed with autism until she was an adult. All her troubles at school were finally understood. Being neurodivergent has helped her write two successful books in record time and Chanelle credits her ADHD for her focus. Her books, I Am Autistic and This is ADHD have also led her to become an advisor for Austism NZ. “I am Autistic, not broken!” says Chanelle.

There is more to learn about these special Kiwis, and 19 others, in Out of the Box.

The flag on the cover signifies these New Zealanders:

“…putting a flag in the ground claiming their own space. They’ve said, ‘ I’m doing life my way’ and ‘this is what I need, in order to be who I am.’

The book also includes a Timeline of Deaf and Disability History in Aotearoa New Zealand, which in itself is a fascinating journey of how Disabled people’s rights have changed from the 1840’s right up to today. This includes language used, laws made or scrapped, ideas and beliefs challenged, and communications improved.

Out of the Box is a must for bookshelves in schools and homes. It highlights 25 inspiring New Zealanders and shows readers another part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history that isn’t well known or accessible to young readers.

This particular journey through our history shows the changes made in our society, and the courage shown in hard-won battles by disabled New Zealanders for their rights to be who they are, receive the support they need, and the respect they deserve.

Author – Trish Harris

Illustrators – Benjamin Ackerman & Peter Woodfield

NZ Non-Fiction

Age – 12+

(2026, Otago University Press, Aotearoa New Zealand, Disabled, Disability, Rights, NZ History, Inspiring, Sportspeople, Artists, Activists, Dancers, Comedians, Filmakers, Laws, Neurodivergent, ADHD, Autism, Adventurers)

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The South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand has been deemed unlivable by the NZ government after a ferocious cyclone.

A large corporation named Carapace has taken it over, building new cities, schools and transport lines.

This isn’t without a loss of rights, opinions and choice. Carapace rules with restrictions, guards,  and tight regulations no one can break without punishment.

One girl decides to follow her parent’s activism when a boy she likes is treated unfairly by the system – especially when she too has experienced unjust treatment herself, again and again.

But standing up for what you believe in has a price she’s not sure she is ready to pay.

Plot summary of Truth Needs No Colour (No Spoilers)

Mariana Lance Darnell is turning 15. She’s now living with her grandparents and her foster brother, who barely get by. Angry at the world for the loss of her mother, her missing father and the fact she has to start yet another new school, Mariana takes it out on those around her.

The gift of a beautiful red dress, hand-stitched by Nana Isla, doesn’t even calm her anger – but the thought of reinventing herself at the new school does. Maybe the dress will help her do that? It’s the first of many mistakes Mariana makes.

Her new school Apace College is run by the Carapace Corporation that owns and runs everything. The rules are strict, nonsensical and terribly unfair. The longer she is there, the more she realises that Carapace has control over every aspect of their lives – at home and school, to keep everyone compliant.

But there is something she can do to show support for a friend that Carapace targets. This is her biggest mistake of all. Or is it? The colour red is suddenly a colour of resistance, regaining control over lives around her, and a way back to the only family she has.

Review

Truth Needs No Colour is a powerful story of standing up for what is fair and right, and speaking out for those around you. Heather McQuillan’s writing is superb, allowing the settings and characters portray the insidious regime a corporation uses on ordinary people.

Nothing is new with money and power bringing greed and corruption, but the way this is done in this dystopian New Zealand society is disturbing in its possibilities. It’s a bleak existence where everyone is scared of stepping out of line (and there are actual painted lines for students to follow while in school), but the love of main character Mariana’s grandparents and her foster brother shine through in the narrative.

Following Mariana’s journey, all while she speaks to her dead mother (in her head), has a crush on a boy at school, and tries to follow the endless rules, is an engaging and ultimately hopeful read.

Book Style

296 pages / 37 Chapters

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

12+

Where & When is it set?

Aotearoa New Zealand / A dystopian future where a cyclone causes so much damage, the South Island is deemed uninhabitable until a corporation takes over.

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

First person / Past tense

What genre is Truth Needs No Colour?

Young Adult Dystopian

Themes

Dystopian / New Zealand / Control / Corporation / Family

Is it part of a series?

No

Find more Dystopian Reads here

Author

Heather McQuillan

Publisher

Cloud Ink Press

(2026, Cloud Ink Press, Aotearoa New Zealand, Intermediate (NZ), Dystopian, Control, Prisons, Corporation, South Island, Schools, Greed, Corruption, Power, NZ Author, Standing up for what you believe in, Unfairness)

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They are talking about you

They’re laughing at you

You’re not good enough

These are all things we’ve heard in our heads at some time, or maybe even from others. They just pop up in our heads, and we wonder where they come from.

This is the problem the young girl in this picture book from Mental health and Well being specialist Becky Overeem, is dealing with.

Many more negative thoughts are barging into her mind. She used to be able to brush them off with a Whatever, but it is becoming harder and harder and the thoughts are getting louder and louder.

Her mum notices changes in her first, and then her teacher. They try to help, but she isn’t telling them what is truly bothering her.

But this care coming from those around her finally sparks her into speaking to her mum.

I felt scared, I wasn’t sleeping, I always felt sick, and I didn’t want to do anything.

Mum talks to her daughter about her thoughts and whether she believes them, and then comes up with a possible solution.

It involves imagination, pencils, colour and crayons, and the girl can finally see that this just might work. The more she works on it, the more it seems possible.

For the first time in a long time, a had a really good sleep.

Are My Thoughts Worth Listening To? is such an important book for young listeners or readers who are dealing with negative feelings and thoughts.

This full colour picture book begins with a young girl who talks directly to the reader about the negative thoughts that are beginning to overwhelm her. She asks the reader if they feel like this too, connecting them to the girl’s plight. She explains how she used to solve the problem, but that it’s just not working anymore.

Images of the character in daily life solidify her even more – with her mum, at school, and at home with the family pet. Deciding to talk to her mum during meal preparation is another familiar connection between story and reader.

The solution is something any young listener or reader can try themselves to combat the negative thoughts following them around. It’s practical, easy and even a little fun.

Aged for 5 to 9 year olds to help manage negative self-talk, this is a companion to Is My Worry Worth Worrying About?

Author – Becky Overeem

Illustrator – Sarah Trolle

Picture Book

Find a companion book here

(2026, Little Love, Mary Egan Publishing, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Negative thoughts, Negative Self Talk, Solutions, Worries, Thoughts, Perceptions)

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He even worries about his worrying because he knows his worries are not normal. There is worrying about the 1st day of school, or large animals, or noises. These worries are common. But his worries are far more frequent and long-standing worries. His worries hurt his tummy and fill his head with loud, buzzing bees.

People around him say, “Don’t worry about it.”

Or, “Wait until you’re an adult.”

But no matter what he does, he can’t stop worrying.

Worrying about stuff happening in his home and family is just making things worse. But he knows he’s loved by those around him, and has friends that like him too.

He begins to write all those names down, alongside his worries. Gradually, he discovers that he does have some control over his worries, and soon he feels more and more like his old, energetic pre-worry self.

With tips for parents and caregivers at the rear of the book, a place for young readers to write their worries down and a likeable, relatable narrator sharing his journey directly to the reader, this picture book is a great resource for all involved.

Many children are worriers like this young narrator, but with his help, they too can learn ways to dismantle their worries and get back to their pre-worry happy selves.

Beautifully illustrated in soft but full colours by Sarah Trolle.

Author Becky Overeem is passionate about mental health and education, and runs her own business developing teaching and mental health resources.

Author – Becky Overeem

Illustrator – Sarah Trolle

Age – 6+

Non-Fiction

Find a copy here

Find a companion book here

(2025, Mary Egan Publishing, Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand, Worries, Worrying, Non-Fiction)

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Her funeral was watched by over a million New Zealanders in 1994.

But do you know all the other amazing things that Dame Whina did?

Mother of the Nation is part of a picture book series by David Hill and NZ Illustrators Phoebe Morris and Story Hemi-Morehouse. It begins with the famous 1975 march which sang out the phrase, ‘Not one more acre,’ highlighting the fact that more and more Maori land was being taken, and they wanted it protected. The Waitangi Tribunal resulted from the march, and the petitions signed by hundreds of Maori elders and thousands of Kiwis.

But Dame Whina helped people from when she was very young. Her father saw her leadership potential early and she learned much about the world she lived in. As a teen she organised her first land protest and then went on to help Apirana Ngata (his picture is on NZ’s $50 note) protect Maori people’s farmland.

During WWII, Whina helped organise parcels to be sent to troops overseas and also help feed families left behind. She was also there to welcome the Maori Battalion home.

In her 70’s she was a key figure in the Maori Women’s Welfare League helping women and children. It was when she was 80 years old that the famous Hikoi (march) to NZ Parliament happened.

Mother of the Nation has so much more about this amazing woman from her birth to her passing in 1994. Story Hemi-Morehouse has brought every aspect of Whina’s journey to life in full colour, portraying her leadership, kindness and compassion across the years.

As in all the books in this series, the rear of the book has a timeline of the events of Dame Whina’s life. The back cover has a map of the North Island showing the Hikoi’s (march) journey from Northland to Wellington.

Mother of the Nation is an important book for all kiwis as it celebrates another amazing New Zealander within it’s pages.

Author – David Hill

Illustrator – Story Hemi-Morehouse

Age – 6+

Picture Book

Find more epic reads about New Zealanders:

Taking The Lead

Dinosaur Hunter

Epic New Zealand Adventurers

(2025, Penguin Random NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, NZ History, Historical, Unity, Land, March, Series, Whenua, 1975, 11oo kilometres, Hikoi, Waitangi Tribunal, Famous New Zealanders)

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She holds up her shield and ROARS like a bear!

Her roaring feelings suddenly fill her up and she can’t control them. Yelling even louder, she tells them to GO AWAY.

But these feelings are determined to stay – swirling within and around her.

She breaks away, but they follow her and grab on tight. When she can finally breathe, she takes a moment, and a closer look.

Maybe is she was kinder to her feelings and herself? Would that be better?

This hardback picture book imaginatively captures the wildness of a young child’s feelings – turning them into small coloured blob monsters. First for her to escape, but then to turn around and placate.

All the Feelings will be a wonderful on-the-knee read aloud with any small child. It’s bright, full of movement, and very relatable to the wee ones – portraying their feelings large and small.

The small girl eventually sits with her feelings as if they are friends to be looked after and cherished. She can see that it’s okay for her feelings to run rampant once in a while. They are part of her.

The shadows behind the girl in the illustrations are entertaining too, showing her inner self in another form.

Another way to explore little ones feelings with them, in a rhyming, colourful way.

Author – Gillian Breckell

Illustrator – Julie Smith-Belton

Picture Book

Publisher – Little Love / Mary Egan Publishing

(2026, Little Love, Mary Egan Publishing, Feelings, Overwhelmed, Loud, Angry, Quiet, Calm)

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He races to tell his friends Marmalade the Penguin and Barry the Lemur what just happened, but when he arrives at Marmalade’s cafe – it’s closed. Now Zeb is in bigger trouble.

When he finally gets inside to find out what’s wrong, he finds Marmalade in torrents of tears and Barry trying to placate her. What could possibly be so terrible? Marmalade has lost her superpower! She can’t make Mac ‘n’ Cheese with a whirl of her flipper anymore!

Oh oh. Zeb is in so much trouble, and now his friends probably are too! The lion that got involved at the zebra crossing, is EXPECTING Mac ‘n’ Cheese for his entire pride – or he will EAT Zeb!

It’s time to get Marmalade’s powers back. But how? Cooking? Cheese? MORE Cheese? A relaxing mountain retreat? Whatever they decide to do, they have to do it fast. The lion is waiting. His tummy is rumbling. If it isn’t going to be Mac ‘n’ Cheese, it’s going to be BBQ – Zebra, Penguin and Lemur!

They’re back and they are just as funny as the first episode which is a Finalist in the NZ Children’s & Young Adult Book Awards 2026.

Swapna Haddow & Minky Stapleton are the dream team for anyone who loves to laugh. I cracked up more than once at this terrible trio’s bumbling efforts to get a super power back.

Again, when the going gets tough, their friendship shines through – which might just save the day. There are lots of gags (beginning with a cockroach – sorry you’ll have to read it), all the way through with the promise of another adventure for these three buddies, on the way.

I for one, can’t wait!

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Minky Stapleton

Age – 6+

Find more Swapna Haddow books here

Find more Minky Stapleton books here

(2026, Humour, Funny, Laugh out Loud, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Animals, Series, Friendship, Bullies, Fantasy)

The post The Terrible Trio (2) The Day the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Ran Out Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

When Barry the Lemur gets a chance for something more, he grabs at it. Barry and his friends Zeb the Zebra, and Marge the Penguin have been hanging out in Marge’s cafe. Business is slow lately so they have decided to pull out the lost property box.

Zeb is keen to have a dress up party and Marge wants to ‘borrow’ some items, but Barry is very strict that these ‘lost’ items belong to someone else. They are not to be messed around with. He decides to go through it and try and work out who they belong to. It’s not long before Barry discovers an item that looks and feels very interesting.

So interesting in fact, he can suddenly fly!

Finally having a decent superpower, Barry decides to make the most of it, along with his excellent handwriting. Soon everyone is wondering who is the Masked Crusader doing so much good around the town?

But the true owner of the cape isn’t far away. She has another superpower. Very strong butt kicking power! The terrible trio are very worried about their botties. Maybe they should just stick to what they know….?

The last in the Terrible Trio series from this fabulous Kiwi duo. Sure to make readers laugh out loud, the shenanigans of these three animals are priceless.

This time it’s Barry the Lemur’s time to shine and shine he does – but with a ‘borrowed’ piece of lost property. It was sure to go wrong.

The laughs come fast and furious, but it’s always the friendship that shines through in each conclusion of these black and white graphic novels.

Each character has their strange quirks and flaws, but their friendship always holds true, no matter what weird and wacky things they do.

A popular award winning series that is So Much Fun!

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Minky Stapleton

Age – 6+

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Graphic Novel

Find more Swapna Haddow books here

Find more books illustrated by Minky Stapleton here

Check out Swapna Haddow’s website here

Checky out Minky Stapleton’s website here

(2026, Scholastic NZ, Graphic Novel, Humour, Funny, Laugh out Loud, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Animals, Series, Friendship, Bullies, Fantasy)

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When he is chosen by a Circus Scout, he can’t believe his luck. He’s survived a disaster at the Orphanage and the Scout believes he might do amazing things at the Circus of Light.

Beatrice is mourning the loss of her father but with his dying words, and with his diary in her hands, she sets off for his childhood home – The Circus of Light, or as the occupants know it, The Circus of Lost Children.

When they reach their destination, they along with another new recruit are in total awe of a circus run entirely by children. The children sleep in hammocks high off the ground, practise death defying feats with fire, and show Marlon more kindness than he’s ever had in his life.

This Circus of Lost Children is organised, well-fed, and incredibly skilled, but they have a nemesis in a rival circus. Marlon & Beatrice along with their new friends are soon caught up in a plot to destroy this magical circus with age-old magic.

Can a boy who has never known friendship, kindness, heard music or ever danced, summon enough courage to save his new home?

Can a girl still mourning her father become someone else long enough to unravel an evil plot against them all?

This is the 1st in a brand new series by the best selling author of Dragon Defenders and Children of the Rush. This time James Russell takes readers into the lives of a circus with children running every aspect of it.

The settings are richly portrayed, the characters engaging, dealing with past troubles or keen to prove themselves, and the plot sears with ever increasing tensity.

James Russell’s writing effortlessly grabs the reader early and completely. I read into the night, keen to know the fates of the characters.

I think Marlon Foundling and the Circus of Lost Children is his best yet!

Author – James Russell

Age – 10+

Find more exciting books by this author here

(2026, Dragon Brothers Books, Circus, Orphans, Friendship, Stallion, Horse training, Big top, Rival circus, Earthquake, France, England, Conflict, Family, Award Winning Author, Aotearoa New Zealand Author, Series, Magic, Fantasy)

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A Year 9 student (NZ) named Jeremy moves with his family to his grandparents farm during the Covid 19 Lockdown in 2020.

He learns some NZ history while he’s there, particularly the time of the Dawn Raids in the 1970’s, where police raided Pacifica family homes without cause, terrifying the residents. His grandmother was in one of those homes.

Jeremy is soon a special part of the NZ Government’s apology in 2021.

Plot summary of The Apology (No Spoilers)

Jeremy and his family move to his grandparent’s farm near Invercargill, when Aotearoa New Zealand goes into compulsory Covid 19 Lockdown.

He must learn to do school online, keep in touch with his friends on Zoom, and help his grandparents with jobs around the farm. They also have family fun with cooking, campfires and other activities to keep occupied.

During these activities, Jeremy learns about his grandmother (Granfia) during her childhood and teenage years. He learns about Bastion Point protests, the Springbok Tour and the Dawn Raids.

This is all helpful in a school project he is working on while the lockdown levels go up and down. He is especially interested in the Dawn Raids and the Polynesian Panthers who helped the families affected. The upcoming 50th Anniversary is also a focal point for Jeremy and he soon becomes a part of it himself.

Review

This sequel to the riveting and award winning novel Dawn Raid is a brilliant follow-on. Full of New Zealand day-to-day life during the Covid 19 Lockdowns, New Zealand history, and packed with humour – The Apology is a entirely relatable middle-grade novel for all Kiwi kids.

The diary format makes it so readable, for even reluctant readers, and it’s also very informative in an informal and compelling way. The author and her grandson are authors of this novel, bringing it even closer to the intended readership.

Another must for Aotearoa New Zealand bookshelves at home and school – right next to a copy of Dawn Raid.

Book Style

162 pages / Diary entries from Wed 11/3/2020 – Fri 29/11/2024 / An important recipe / A historical note with photographs from the apology event

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

9+

Where & When is it set?

Invercargill, New Zealand / March 2020 – November 2024

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

Third person / Past tense

What genre is The Apology?

Middle Grade Historical novel in diary format

Themes

History / Racism / Family / Humour / Growing Up

Is it part of a series?

Yes – It is the 2nd book in a duology

1. Dawn Raid (2018)
2. The Apology (2026)

Author

Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith with Brooklyn Taylor

Publisher

Scholastic NZ

(2026, Scholastic NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Invercargill, Dawn Raids, Polynesian Panthers, Family, Grandparents, Government, Brandy Snaps, Historical Events, History, 1970’s, Covid 19, Lockdown, Humour, Growing up, Conflict, Courage, Friendship, Real Life, School, Series)

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Cousins Ana and Frog discover a much-loved horse is missing from her paddock. They begin an investigation around their small rural town, learning about other residents as they go.

The sleuthing points them to classmates, to other cousins, into town and out again.

Plot summary of Ana & Frog (No Spoilers)

When cousins and best friends Ana and Frog arrive to ride Whaea McCready’s horse Minty, they immediately know something is wrong. Minty is a 25 year old horse and she is not in her paddock.

Days pass and the police have been, but there is still no answer. Where is Minty?

The cousins soon learn that other horses have gone missing in the area. The mention of a local dog-food factory makes their minds spin. They know they must start looking for Minty themselves.

The girls are led one way then another as they follow the clues and soon the police are involved, but not for the right reasons. Will they ever find Minty?

Review

A purely kiwi yarn, with close cousins hanging out, using their reo in day-to-day events and allowing kiwi kids to see themselves in print.

The tension of a much loved horse rises as days pass, but plenty of humour is also present throughout, as the cousins investigate. They are close but very different, complimenting the exciting plot. The story leads the reader through a fun-to-read mystery with a surprising but satisfying ending.

Book Style

151 pages / 14 Chapters / Some full page illustrations sprinkled through story by Story Hemi-Morehouse.

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

8+

Where & When is it set?

Small town Aotearoa New Zealand

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

Third person / Past Tense

Is there Violence?

No

What genre is Ana & Frog?

Middle Grade Mystery

Themes

Family / Mystery / Friendship / Animals / Determination / Cooperation

Is it part of a series?

No

Author

Shelley Burne-Field

Publisher

Allen & Unwin NZ

(2026, Allen & Unwin NZ, Rural town, Small town, Aotearoa, New Zealand Author, Animals, Horses, Mystery, Cooperation, Friendship, Bullies, Dementia, Crime, Humour, Funny, Real Life)

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There’s the cow to milk, the sheep to count, and the garden to tend to. Before she finishes for the day she must put all of her animals to bed in their sty, shed, stable or coop.

Finally it’s the farmer’s turn to go to bed. But where are her pyjamas? There is nothing for it. She must try to sleep without them.

The next day is just as busy as the last. At the end of the day she hopes to find her pyjamas. But they are nowhere to be found! Sleeping without them is just not the same.

Again – she’s up and out on the farm the next morning, but it’s not long before even the animals know something is wrong….

The Farmer’s Pyjamas is a funny, perfectly rhymed picture book that made me laugh out loud. Kids are going to love it!

The poor farmer just isn’t the same without her pyjamas. The less sleep she gets, the more muddled the day becomes. Young readers will be shouting, “No! That’s not right!”

Released in hardback in full colour, all the favourite farm animals have a starring role in this mystery.

Loved the ending.

Author – Illustrator – Ruth Paul

Picture Book

Find more reads from Ruth Paul here

(2026, Walker Books, Aotearoa New Zealand, Award Winning Author, Humour, Animals, Mystery, Farm, Problem, Farm Chores, Bedtime, No Pyjamas)

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Sexism in the sport of surfing, and how best friends Jerri and Frida (who are so different), step up against it.

Through their own surfing skills, and turning a school project into something so much more, Jerri finds the courage not only to confront something that deeply offends her, but to courageously put aside that hurt – to save lives.

Plot summary of  (No Spoilers)

Jerri is sick of it. Despite being skilled surfers, her and her friend Frida are constantly put down, whistled at, commented on and even photographed by men – young and old.

Told to stay on the beach where they belong, or at least in the shallows, Jerri knows they are just as good, and often even better than any of the guy surfers who they wait among out on the swells to catch the next wave.

Frida is even more confident in her abilities on the waves, competing with surfers older than her in Surf Comps. Even if her sponsors provide inappropriate bikinis and wetsuits for her sport, she brushes off the catcalls, the inappropriate photos on social media, and the sexist opinions of the adult male surfers.

With a school project as the catalyst, Jerri finally sees an opportunity to portray her disgust at the way teenage girls are objectified, and made to feel somehow less because they don’t fit a stereotype. With Frida’s help they open a door for any girl who wants to surf, to take the next step.

Along the way Jerri learns about her mother’s surfing past, her father before she was born and another local tragedies. Her secret mini crush becomes something more, and together they help prevent yet another surfing tragedy in their small New Zealand Surfing-Mad town.

Review

Although not a surfing fan, or even one for sea swimming, I wondered what I’d find among the pages of Sarah Johnson’s new novel. I found a tale of strength, conviction, courage and roaring ocean action.

The contrasts between best friends Jerri and Frida allow thought provoking themes to emerge, which can be applied to all sports, not just surfing – and even among non sports fans.

Jerri shies away from any attention, but when hurtful issues burn too bright within her to ignore, she steps bravely into the mix to address them. The initial animosity from an older character is intriguing, along with revelations from another about Jerri’s mum’s own surfing life.

Jerri becomes stronger throughout the novel in so many ways, and is an inspiration to herself and others around her. Readers (whether interested in surfing or not), will enjoy this multi-layered Young Adult novel.

(Thanks to OneTree House for my ARC)

Writing Style

26 Chapters – 346 Pages – In main character Jerri’s POV

FAQS

What age is it for?

Age – 12+

Where & When is it set?

Raglan, West Coast, Nth Island, New Zealand

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

Third Person / Past Tense

Is there Violence?

No – But there are altercations among the waves

Is there any Sex?

No.

What genre is Not A Babe?

Real Life / Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

Themes

Friendship / Surfing / Sexism / Misogyny / Courage / Sport

Is it part of a series?

No

If you liked this, you might like…

Nor’ East Swell

We Saw What You Started

You’re Not the Boss of Me

Author

Sarah Johnson

Publisher

OneTree House

(2026, OneTree House, Aotearoa New Zealand, Intermediate (NZ), New Zealand Author, Friendship, Action, Sport, Girl-Power, Surfing, Waves, Ocean, Sexism, Sexist, Misogyny, Proving Yourself to yourself – not others, Wetsuits for Women, Dare)

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Talking with his farm boy, Digger Dan about the problem, they go through ideas together, from stealing fruit to having a garage sale. It’s not until Gumboot is reading his newspaper later, that an idea hits him.

Meanwhile, Pippa Davidson lives on a bigger, better and much happier farm near their town of Dargaville. They have cows, sheep, and it’s a sheep called Lulabelle that is Pippa’s very special favourite. Lulabelle feels the same about Pippa.

So when Lulabelle is stolen one dark night, Pippa knows she must do everything she can to get her wooly best friend back!

Gumboot Gary and Digger Dan’s terrible plans to make money for their farm are going well – until they enter a competition in the town show. Pippa is suddenly onto what they’ve been up to.

With the help of Dargaville’s top cop Mike Te Hira, they are quickly caught up in a dangerous mission to save many sheep along with Lulabelle.

Set in Dargaville NZ, many small-town Kiwi kids will love seeing themselves in a novel.

This Kiwi caper will bring lots of laughs as two criminals come up against a brave girl with a stolen sheep friend, and the local police, on hand. There is word play with many recognisable (but completely coincidental) items, authors, bands and books in the text – with funny footnotes. eg. SpongeGreg Rectangle Shorts.

Pippa and the Sheep Snatchers is illustrated throughout with all the sheep shenanigans and possum problems, making this story even more entertaining for Kiwi kids.

Author – Lauren Middleton

Illustrator – Robyn Glendinning

Age – 7+

Find more Great New Zealand Fiction here

(2025, Bateman, Dargaville, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Farm, Animals, Sheep, Rustling, Town Show, Possum, Traps, Police, Crime, Humour, Funny)

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All he wants in life is a quiet place to sleep. This bridge seemed perfect… until… yep you guessed it. A goat comes trip-tropping over the bridge.

Grumble was just about to doze off! How dare something disturb him! He is even cross enough to threaten to EAT the goat. The goat however, doesn’t believe him.

“TRY ME, no goats! Off you go!” yells Grumble.

Settling back down to sleep, another noise wakes him, then another, and another!

Grumble grumbles even more as his snooze is interrupted again and again. So much so, that he decides to try somewhere else.

Poor Grumble.

A funny, new take on the classic Norwegian Fairytale, The Billy Goats Gruff, with an ending that will make little listeners laugh, but is not so good for Grumble.

Grumble’s Bridge was submitted to Scholastic New Zealand’s 2025 ‘Share the Love’ competition – where manuscripts are submitted on February 14th of each year.

This fun picture book is illustrated by Herb MacDonald who is a full time art director and illustrator with his own design agency. Herb MacDonald was the Winner of the 2024 Hachette Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize.

I’m hoping for more collaborations by these talented creatives, because Grumble’s Bridge is a delight. I love the size and power of Grumble, against the determined and unafraid animals who have somewhere to be – across his bridge.

Author – Greg MacLeod

Illustrator – Herb MacDonald

Picture Book

(2026, Scholastic NZ, Retelling, Norwegian Fairytale, Troll, Animals, Humour, Funny, Sleep, Snooze, Grumpy)

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One day he meets a girl called Tig who tells Cedric he is,

“…a spectacular dragon.”

They are chatting when a lizard arrives, accusing Cedric of being,

“…a pretend dragon.”

Other animals join in, making Cedric uncomfortable, despite Tig sticking up for him.

Cedric decides to leave Auckland Zoo home, with Tig along for the ride. She tells them all before he leaps into the sky with her on his back, that they don’t deserve him!

It’s not long before young zoo visitors come looking for their favourite dragon. They ask the zoo keepers where he’s gone, and all are left wondering whether he will ever return? How will they find him again?

This beautifully illustrated book will be a great read in kindys and classrooms alike.

Discussions about feelings, teasing or even bullying can be launched after reading, along with questions asked about how Cedric was treated and how he might be feeling?

The Dragon at the Zoo is a thought provoking story set in Auckland (NZ), with the Sky Tower and the Harbour Bridge also starring in a dragon’s escape. New Zealand birds are here too – coming to the rescue.

Author – Melanie Koster

Illustrator – Craig Phillips

Picture Book

Find more books about Dragons here

Find more books about Feelings here

(2026, Scholastic NZ, Dragons, Animals, Bullying, Teasing, Auckland Zoo, Aotearoa New Zealand, Native Birds, Rescue)

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